Manchester City of Literature has announced the full programme for the upcoming Festival of Libraries 2026, which will take place in libraries across Greater Manchester from 10-14 June.

The award-winning festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, features a vibrant programme that highlights the library network’s full offer, across wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and reading. Festival of Libraries was named the second Most Inclusive Literature Festival by Inclusive Books For Children in 2025.

The University’s Creative Manchester has curated a series of four free events for the Festival programme, showcasing our research, in partnership with the Centre for New Writing and the Linguistic Diversity Collective.

Writing for Wellbeing workshops will see poets from the Centre for New Writing run two sessions at Stockport and Manchester libraries, exploring how creative writing can positively impact wellbeing.

The Linguistic Diversity Collective will present ‘Roots, Resistance, Reinvention: Exporing Jamaican Patois/Patwah [Creole]’ which will explore how dictionaries define words, and will take place at the Old Trafford Library. This interactive event will explore the meanings, uses, origins, and evolution of Jamaican Patwa. It draws on research from Dr Serge Sagna, of the Linguistic Diversity Collective and is aimed at all generations of people of Jamaican descent living in Manchester along with members of the wider public who would like to learn more about Jamaican Patwa / Patois. All are welcome.

‘Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon’ will provide a family-friendly, immersive session exploring foods in children’s literature. The workshop will engage children in drawing pictures of and telling stories about the foods that come to life in their favourite stories, as well as the foods that mean most to them and their communities.

• Find out more about the University’s Festival of Libraries workshops and book your free places.